Good things come in small packages? Not quite

New report finds CPGs are scaling back

According to a new survey by Consumer Reports, many packaged goods are being scaled back as suppliers face increased energy costs, as well as rising prices of ingredients. Tod Marks, senior editor and resident shopping expert at Consumer Reports, said that higher commodity and fuel costs are expected to spike in food prices by as much as 3% this year.

The report cited that such products as Ivory dish detergent shrank from its 30-oz. bottle to a new 24-oz. bottle, while containers of Haagen Dazs ice cream, which once were 16 oz., now tout a 14-oz. size. Both companies' customer service representatives cited increased costs of either raw materials or ingredients as what prompted the size changes.

In light of this, Consumer Reports suggested that consumers compare different brands and store brands with typically purchased items, examine unit prices and buy in bulk while shopping. The report also encouraged shoppers to contact the company about the downsizing of packages.

The full report is featured in the magazine's February issue, now available on newsstands.

Poll

Poll

SPECIAL REPORTS

Are we in the midst of a beauty revolution? Perhaps. It is no secret that the ever-changing beauty category is all about trends, but one could argue that we are embarking on an especially interesting time in beauty as technology is changing the way consumers shop and new innovations strive to break through the noise.

In this beauty report, Drug Store News takes a deeper dive into some of the leading trends that are reshaping beauty.more ...

IN THIS ISSUE

In this issue, DSN examines PricewaterhouseCoopers' "Top Health Industry Issues for 2015;" takes you on a tour of Murad, shares beauty trends and insights and delves into location-based technology and how it is revolutionizing health, retail.Click here to view the issue.